Key West Wedding Ceremony Basics
Key West Wedding Ceremony Basics
There are many ways to organize your ceremony. This structure works well for outside beach and garden weddings, where the reception will likely be in another location or a less formal structure is desired. Do what is most comfortable and meaningful for your tastes. Timing is important. Be sure to begin on time. Your guests, who are sitting in the hot sun, will love you even more.
- Processional
- Presentation of the bride to groom.
- Offciant's opening remarks
- Prayer's, readings and/or song by family or friends
- Charge to couple: ("Do you, James, take Asley to be your lawfully wedded...?")
- Vows
- Ring exchange and any other unity gestures such as a sand ceremony, handfasting (gently tieing of the hands with a symbolic cloth), candles (only indoors, shell (tossing shells into the sea), dove release, butterfly release.
- The officiant's closing remarks and final blessing
- Pronouncement ( the "I now pronounce you ..."Part)
- Conch shell blessing (conch shell horn blow) during the kiss (finally!)
- Presentation of the couple to guests by the officiant.
- Recessional
Ring Exchange
These rings are the symbols of vows taken,
a circle of wholeness.
These rings mark the beginning of a journey filled with wonder,
surprises, tears, laughter, celebrations, grief and joy.
May these rings glow with the warmth and life that flows through their wearers today.
_______________, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you.
I am honored to call you my (wife/husband).
____________, I give you this ring, in the name of God,
as a symbol of my unending love.
____________, I give you this ring as a sign of my loving commitment,
now and for always.
___________, in token of my faithfulness and love,
with this ring, I thee wed.
Take this ring as my gift to you.
Wear it and think of me, and know that I love you.
__________, I give you this ring as a sign of my love.
With all that I have and all that I am, I honor you.
___________, with this ring, I join my life with yours.
Let the world know this:
"This is my beloved, and this is my friend."
(from the Song of Solomon)
___________ , I bless you with this ring.
May we be held together within its circle of joy, faithfulness, and trust.
______________, I give you this ring as I give you my love and devotion.
_____________, I give you this ring as a symbol of my trust, my faith,
and my love for you.
With this ring, I give you my heart.
From this day forward, you shall not walk alone.
May my heart be your shelter, may my arms be your home.
_______, I give you this ring,
as a symbol of our marriage,
for today and tomorrow,
and for all the days to come.
_________________, I give this ring in remembrance of this hour,
a symbol of love that is complete, beautiful, and endless.
a circle of wholeness.
These rings mark the beginning of a journey filled with wonder,
surprises, tears, laughter, celebrations, grief and joy.
May these rings glow with the warmth and life that flows through their wearers today.
_______________, I give you this ring as a symbol of my love for you.
I am honored to call you my (wife/husband).
____________, I give you this ring, in the name of God,
as a symbol of my unending love.
____________, I give you this ring as a sign of my loving commitment,
now and for always.
___________, in token of my faithfulness and love,
with this ring, I thee wed.
Take this ring as my gift to you.
Wear it and think of me, and know that I love you.
__________, I give you this ring as a sign of my love.
With all that I have and all that I am, I honor you.
___________, with this ring, I join my life with yours.
Let the world know this:
"This is my beloved, and this is my friend."
(from the Song of Solomon)
___________ , I bless you with this ring.
May we be held together within its circle of joy, faithfulness, and trust.
______________, I give you this ring as I give you my love and devotion.
_____________, I give you this ring as a symbol of my trust, my faith,
and my love for you.
With this ring, I give you my heart.
From this day forward, you shall not walk alone.
May my heart be your shelter, may my arms be your home.
_______, I give you this ring,
as a symbol of our marriage,
for today and tomorrow,
and for all the days to come.
_________________, I give this ring in remembrance of this hour,
a symbol of love that is complete, beautiful, and endless.
